Anchoring system

ABSTRACT

A device for anchoring an end of an elongated body, such as a swing set leg or other support structure. The anchoring device has a base plate with rods extending from a first surface so as to prevent vertical or horizontal shifting. A sleeve receives the elongated body. The sleeve is attached to the base plate so that the sleeve may pivot to accept a wide variety of elongated body engagement angles.

This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/938,073, filed May 15, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus fro anchoring structures to the ground. In particular the invention relates to an anchoring device for the securing of swing sets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Anchoring systems to secure structures are known. Typically an anchor includes a member that is bored into ground and is connected to a structure by a strap, rope, or other tethering device. In prior art anchor systems, a rotational force is applied to bore the anchor into the ground. The ability of the anchor to bore into the ground is directly proportional to the consistency and type of soil found in the ground. It is desirable to provide a more versatile anchoring system whereby entry into the ground can be easily done, without rotational force and maintaining stability.

In addition, prior art anchoring systems often have a fixed angle of attachment limiting their usefulness. The ability of the anchor to accommodate a variety of structures is limited by this fixed angle. It is preferable to provide an anchor without a fixed angle of attachment, whereby a larger selection of angles can be supported.

Prior art anchors are provided with a fixed angle means of attachment and rely on rotational force to bore into the ground, which restrict the locations they can be used, as well as the number of supports it can handle. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an anchoring system that can adjust its engagement angle and be easily driven into a variety of soil types.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The anchoring system disclosed herein provides the solution to the problems of the prior art and is described in more detail below. Applicant has devised an anchor system that will provide a quick and effective way to secure a variety of structures to the ground.

The anchoring system comprises a base plate with upstanding extensions that form a clevis on the upper surface of the base plate. The sleeve may be retained, near a first end, in the clevis by a bolt. This bolt allows the sleeve to pivot, allowing the sleeve to accommodate a plethora of engagement angles. The sleeve has an axial cavity of sufficient size to slidingly receive an elongated body such as a leg of a swing set or other structure. A clamp means at a second end of the sleeve may be used as needed to secure the swing set leg or other structure inside the sleeve. A plurality of rods affixed to the base plate and protruding from the bottom surface of the base plate may be used to anchor said base plate to the ground. Barbs located on the distal ends of the rods provide additional resistance against vertical and horizontal shifting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of the disclosed embodiments will be obtained from the detailed description of the accompanying drawings, wherein identical parts are identified by identical part numbers and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the anchoring system.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the anchoring system.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the base plate of the anchoring system.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the anchoring system.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the sleeve, isolated from the anchoring system, illustrating a bolt as a means of clamping.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of an alternate sleeve, illustrating slots that allow the use of a clamp as a means of clamping.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring now to FIG. 1, the anchoring system 10 comprises a base plate 12, and a pivotable affixing means 14. The pivotable affixing means may include upstanding extensions 16 forming a clevis on the upper surface of the base plate 12 and may include a transverse hole 24 (shown in FIG. 2), located in the upstanding extensions 16, through which an elongated member 18 may pass. The elongated member 18 may be used to attach the first end of a sleeve 20. The illustrated embodiment of the elongated member 18 shows a threaded bolt and nut assembly, although other means of providing a similar pivotable attachments may be used, including, but not limited to a pin or cotter key. The transverse hole 24 may be of a sufficient height above the upper surface of the base plate 12 to allow pivotal movement of the sleeve 20. The base plate 12 may have a rectangular, circular, or other suitable shape dictated by the shape of an elongated body (not shown in the Figures). The anchoring system 10 may be constructed of a metal, such as steel, or other suitable material having sufficient strength to provide resistance against vertical and horizontal shifting.

In the exemplary embodiment, the upstanding extensions 16 may be of sufficient distance apart to allow for the sleeve 20 to be contained therein. The sleeve 20 may be of an adequate internal dimension to slidingly accept an elongated body, such as a swing set support leg or other structure. One skilled in the art will recognize that the sleeve 20 may be rectangle, tubular, or other suitable shape to slidingly receive a swing set or other such structure support leg. Others skilled in the art will recognize the need to manipulate the internal dimension of the sleeve 20, the distance between the upstanding extensions 16, the height of the transverse hole 24, through which the elongated member 18 passes, and the size of the base plate 12 to accommodate virtually any size of elongated body.

A plurality of rods 22 may protrude from the lower surface of the base plate 12. The base plate 12 may be driven into the ground such that, the rods 20 provide stability from vertical and horizontal shifting. Others skilled in the art will recognize the need to adjust the diameter and length of the rods 22 to effectuate this stability. The rods 22 may have a pointed distal end to allow easier ground penetration.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the upstanding extension 16 may include a transverse hole 24, through which an elongated member 18 may pass through to attach a sleeve 20 (shown in FIG. 1). The height of the transverse hole 24 from the upper surface of the base plate 12 may be adjusted to allow pivotable motion of the sleeve 20. The diameter of the transverse holes 24 may also be adjusted to accommodate various sizes of elongated members 18. The length of the elongated member 18 may be such that the ends extend through the upstanding extensions 16. The elongated member 18 may be constructed of a material sufficient to withstand the weight of the anchored structure. Although shown in an approximately centered position, the transverse hole 24 may be located to the left or right of the center position on the upstanding extension 16 to better accommodate a variety of elongated bodies.

Referring now to FIG. 3, in order to allow easy assembly of the anchoring system 10, the base plate 12 may have a plurality of holes 30 through which the rods 22 (shown in FIG. 1) may pass. The holes 30 may be of varying size to allow for varying sizes of rods 22. After the rods 22 have passed through the holes 30, they may be affixed to the base plate 12. The rods 22 may be affixed to the base plate by welding, epoxy, or other suitable methods ensuring a sufficiently strong bond. As shown in FIG. 1, the rods 24 may extend normally from the bottom surface of the base plate 12. In other embodiments, the rods 22 may extend from the bottom of the base plate at an angle other than 90 degrees. Although shown in a square pattern the rods 24 may be placed at any location of the base plate 12 that allows for resistance against vertical and horizontal shifting. Also, the number of rods 22 may be varied depending on the type of soil present where anchoring system 10 is placed.

In other exemplary embodiments, the base plate 12 may not include holes 30. The rods 22 may be affixed to the bottom surface of the base plate 12 by welding, epoxy, or other suitable methods ensuring a sufficiently strong bond to prevent vertical and horizontal shifting.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the rods 22 are shown having a barb 40 attached to the distal end of each rod 22. The barb 40 is in the shape of a wedge to allow easy ground penetration while still allowing a sufficient degree of resistance to vertical and horizontal shifting. The upwardly angled side 42 of the barb 40 may extend from the rod 22 at an angle α. Wherein the angle α may be in a range of 15 to 60 degrees. In other embodiments, the angle α may be 22.5 degrees. The top portion of the wedge 44 may extend form the rod 22 at an angle β. Wherein the angle β may be about 90 to 30 degrees. The barbs 40 may be placed at any location around the circumference of the rods 22, where the rod 22 is a circular shape. In embodiments wherein the rods 22 are a rectangular design, the barbs 40 may be located on any side of the rods 22. In other embodiments, additional barbs 40 may be affixed to the surface of the rods 22.

The ability of the anchoring system 10 to provide pivotal movement is discernable in FIG. 4. The elongated member 18 provides a fixed point around which the sleeve 18 can pivot. This movement allows the anchoring system to accommodate a wide variety of angles of elongated bodies, such as, swing set support legs or other structures.

In this figure, plates 46 on a second end of the sleeve are visible. The plates 46 may extend normally from the sleeve 20. The plates 46 and the nut and bolt assembly 48 may provide a means of clamping to secure the elongated body inserted into the sleeve 20. This means of clamping is further illustrated in FIG. 5.

In FIG. 5, the plates 46 located on a second end of the sleeve 20 are visible. The plates 46 may be attached to the sleeve at either side of a gap 50. In this exemplary embodiment, a bolt and nut assembly 48 may be passed through both plates 46 to provide a clamping means. As the plates 46 are brought together, by means of the bolt, the dimension of the gap 50 decreases. This in turn decreases the internal dimension of the sleeve 18 at the second end and provides a means of connecting the anchoring system 10 to an elongated body. In other embodiments, the nut and bolt assembly 48 may be replaced by other suitable devices to decrease the width of the gap 50, including, but not limited to a pin or rivet. To aid in closing the gap 50, an optional cut 52 may be made in the sleeve 20. The cut 52 may decrease the force necessary to decrease the width of the gap 50.

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the anchoring system; the second end of the elongated body 20 may have slots 60 cut at either side of the gap 50. The slots 60 provide a means by which a clamp, such as a band or web clamp, may be threaded through the slots 60. The clamp may proceed through the slots 60 and be used to decrease the width of the gap 50 to provide a means of connecting the elongated body to the anchoring system 10.

Other advantages, which are inherent to the structure, are obvious to one skilled in the art. The embodiments are described herein illustratively and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention as claimed. Variations of the foregoing embodiments will be evident to a person of ordinary skill and are intended by the inventor to be encompassed by the following claims. 

1. A device for anchoring an end of an elongated body, comprising: a plate, having a first and second surface; a plurality of rods extending from the first surface thereof; a sleeve for receiving the elongated body end, having a first and second end; and a means for pivotably affixing the sleeve to the plate.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein: the sleeve comprises a body with an axial cavity sufficient at the first end thereof to slidingly receive the elongated body end.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein: the sleeve further comprises a clamp for retaining the elongated body end, the clamp positioned at the first end of the sleeve.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein: the pivotable affixing means comprises a body for retaining the second end of the sleeve, a transverse hole passing through the body for retaining the second end of the sleeve and the sleeve, an elongated member sized to pass through the transverse hole.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein: the body for retaining the second end of the sleeve comprises at least one plate extending from the second surface of the plate.
 6. The device of claim 4, wherein: the body for retaining the second end of the sleeve is a clevis, having first and second arms, the sleeve being received between the respective arms.
 7. The device of claim 4, wherein: the elongated member is a nut and bolt assembly.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein: at least one barb affixed to each of the plurality of rods.
 9. The device of claim 8, wherein: the at least one barb has a triangular shape.
 10. A device for anchoring an end of an elongated body, comprising: a plate, having a first and second surface; a plurality of rods extending from the first surface thereof; a sleeve for receiving the elongated body end, having a first and second end; and a means for pivotably affixing the sleeve to the plate comprising: a body for retaining the second end of the sleeve; a transverse hole passing through the body for retaining the second end of the sleeve and the sleeve; and an elongated member sized to pass through the transverse hole.
 11. The device of claim 10, wherein: the sleeve comprises a body with an axial cavity sufficient at the first end thereof to slidingly receive the elongated body end.
 12. The device of claim 10, wherein: the sleeve further comprises a clamp for retaining the elongated body end, the clamp positioned at the first end of the sleeve.
 13. The device of claim 10, wherein: the body for retaining the second end of the sleeve comprises at least one plate extending from the second surface of the plate.
 14. The device of claim 10, wherein: the body for retaining the second end of the sleeve is a clevis, having first and second arms, the sleeve being received between the respective arms.
 15. The device of claim 10, wherein: the elongated member is a nut and bolt assembly.
 16. The device of claim 10, wherein: at least one barb affixed to each of the plurality of rods.
 17. The device of claim 16, wherein: the at least one barb has a triangular shape.
 18. A device for anchoring an end of an elongated body, comprising: a plate, having a first and second surface; a plurality of rods extending from the first surface thereof; at least one barb affixed to each of the plurality of rods; a sleeve for receiving the elongated body end, having a first and second end; comprising: a body with an axial cavity sufficient at the first end thereof to slidingly receive the elongated body; a clamp for retaining the elongated body end, the clamp positioned at the first end of the sleeve; a means for pivotably affixing the sleeve to the plate comprising: a body for retaining the second end of the sleeve extending from the second surface of the plate; a transverse hole passing through the body for retaining the second end of the sleeve and the sleeve; and an elongated member sized to pass through the transverse hole.
 19. The device of claim 18, wherein: the body for retaining the second end of the sleeve is a clevis, having first and second arms, the sleeve being received between the respective arms.
 20. The device of claim 18, wherein: the at least one barb has a triangular shape. 